Synchronizing-interrupter for electric currents.



E. BACHBLBT.

SYNCEBONIZING INTERRUPTER POB ELECTRIC GUBBENTS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4, 1909.

. y Patented Mar. 7, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

llll l I l llllll llllllll w- @s l Nv @nnen tor' E. BACHELET.

SYNCHBONIZING INTBRRUPTER PCR ELECTRIC CUBRENTS.

APPLICATION FILED TBB. 4, 1909.

985,039, 1 Patented Mar. 7, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

L UNTTED sTATEs EMILE B'ACHELET, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

SYNcHnoNIzING-INTEEEUPTEB ron ELECTRIC cURnENTs.

specification er Letters ratent. e

Patented Mar. 7, 1911.

Application med February 4 1909.A serial no. 476,054.

To all whom t't may concern: v

Be it known that I, EMILE BAGHELET, 0f New York, in thelcounty of New York and State of New York, have invented' certain new and useful Improvements in Synchronizing-Interrupters for Electric Currents; and I hereby declare that the following is' a full, clear, and eX'act description thereof, reference being had to the'accompanying drawings, ,which form part lof this specification. y

This invention is an improvement in apparatus for varying the nature and intensity of electric currents; it is especially adapted for use in connection with electrical signaling, wireless telegraphy, and telephony and for electromagnetic therapeutic apparatus, and other purposes in the art, wherein it is desirable to vary the character of the elec tric current derived from a source of electric energy by interrupting the current at periodic intervals.l

The invention is particularly designed and adapted for use in connection with alternating currents and is capable of breaking and interrupting such currents in absolute synchronism with the waves thereof so that perfect and continuous uniformity of action of such current can be obtained.

The invention is also useful for interrupting direct currents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel interrupter by which sparking will be reduced to a minimum, or practically obviated, and the main contacts shall be sep arated with a snap action, and the armaturemoved away from the magnet with a snap action; and to make these parts so sensitive in operation that they will vibrate in exact unison 'with the alternations of the current.

I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same; and the parts and features for which protection is desired are set forth inthe claims.

Insaid drawings-Figure l represents diagrammatically a plan view of the appa# ratus adjusted for use with alternating currents. Fig.`r2 is a detail view showing the switch adjusted for direct currents. Fig.' 3 is an enlarged' detail view of the preferred form of interrupter. Fig. 4 isa view of a the constructor, within the scope ofmy in-y vention, it is therefore unnecessary to show in detail the electrical conductors, switches, lamps and other wellknown elemental features of construction and therefore the parts are generally illustrated diagrammatically.

In Fig. 1 A designates the main conductor block by which the apparatus can be connected to a source of electricity, such as the main line wires from a generating station. A conductor a is connected to one terminal of this connector, and leads to a main switch M. S. so that the currentv may be cut on or o from the apparatus at will. The conductor a is branched beyond the switch, one branch a leading to a binding post b which forms part of the interrnpter hereinafter de-y scribed, and through this post is tapped an adjustable contact screw b which is adapted to contact with a block c on a vibratory strip c which is strung under tension betweenytwo posts d and d. The post ai is connected by a wire a2 to one contact point e of a double throw switch, which has four blades or closers pivoted at f, f', f2, f3, intermediate two series of Vcontact points e, e', e2, e3, and g, g', g2, g3. When the switch is thrown into engagement with Contact points e, e', e2, e3, it is out of engagement with one n of the series of contact points g, g', g?, g3, and vice versa. The contact post d is also connected by wires a2, a8, with the switch point f3.

To facilitate the explanation of the invention I'will first describe`the apparatus as used with an alternating current, without interruption thereof.

When the double throw switch is closed as indicated in Fig. l so as to connect the point-Sife gf fla g f' f2 g2," f3: g3; the Current passes from post d through wires a2, a3, directly to point fs; and thence through the switch blade to point g3; and thence through a wire ai to one terminal z' of a connector block i from which it may be taken through suitable conductors, not shown, to any desired 'receptive device, or to a magnetic generator; and it returns to the other terminal 2 of block z' and thence passes through wire a5 to lamp L, and thence through wire a to the terminal A2 of the block A. A condenser C is connected between Cthe wires a, a5, adjacent the connecting block t', as indicated in Fig. 1.

A plurality of rgceptive devices may be operated in multiple by this apparatus, and, as shown in Fig. 1, I have provided a second connector bloclr j, one terminal j of which is connected to a wire a* by a branch a8; and the other terminal 7'2 'of block j is connected by wire. a9 to conductor as; a lamp L being interposed in branch a9. The lamps L, L', are merely used to introduce resistance into the circuit; and they may be omitted or changed to increase or lessen resistance; and

may be substituted by fuse plugs. The foregoing indicates the course of either direct or alternating current through the apparatus when the interrupter is not in operation.

For the purpose of actuating the interrupter so as to break the current at the desired time, the strip 0 is provided with an armature 02, opposite the core, or pole, h of an elect-romagnet h. One- .terminal of this magnet k is connected by a wire h2 with the switch point f and the other terminal of the coil is connected by a wire h3 with the switch point f. The conductor a is connected by a branch am with the Switchpoint f2. A single pole switch S and a lamp L2 are interposed in the wire alo. The switch points g', g2, are connected by a wire y, and consequently when the switch S is closed and the main switch is thrown so as to connect the points f, f', f2, f3, with the points g, g', g2, g3, a shunt current will pass from-conductor a through wire al", and points f2, g2; g', f', and wire h2 to the coil lz., and back through wire h3 to point f; thence to g, and then through wire a to the wire' a7. The lamp or fuse plug L2 is used to introduce such resistance into the shunt as may be desired. The function of'lamp L2 is to regulate the amount of current going to the induction coil H when alternating current is used. With the parts thus connected it will be seen that the alternating current can pass through the apparatus from the point A back to the point A2, such current energizing such electroreceptive device as may be connected with the blocks i, j. There is also a shunt current passed through coil h of the interrupter. The parts are so arranged that when this coil it is energized armature c2 is attracted and the main circuit is broken or interrupted by the separation of the contact points 0'; b. The coil being energized by an alternating current the armature will be at tracted at the high and low points of the current waves; but will be released at the neutral points, and consequently the main circuit will be broken at the maximum eachcurrent wave or pulsation; but the armature is also released at each neutral point of the current pulsation; I believe the main circuit is interrupted at or about the extreme points of each alternation in the current, and is closed at each neutral point in the current alternation. In order to insure this action the interupter is of peculiar novel construction as hereinafter pointed out. The alternating current is interrupted in exact synchronism with its alternations greatly accentuated wave of current. Such an interrupted alternating current will be particularly useful in w1reless telegraphy and telephony because of its greatly increased intensity and its absolute regularity and uniformity. The interruptions are absolutely synchronous with the alternations ofthe current and wholly controlled thereby.

If desired a certain amount of uninterrupted alternating currentmay be sent to VVthe receivers along with the interrupted current by means of a branch. wire a. indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 leading from the wire a1 to the wire a* around the switch. A plug a may be connected in the wire au so thata klamp or other receptive device may be connected at that point if desired.

The intewvupter-The`interrupter is of peculiar novel construction; it embodies a strip c secured to and between the posts d, d', the post d being slotted to receive one end of the strip c which is secured thereto by a screw d2; and the post d is slotted to receive a slide d3 to which the other end of the strip c is attached. The slide di3 is provided with a threaded'shank d* on which is a hand-nut d5 by turnin which the spring strip can be put under the wired tension suflicient to prevent the armature 02 being actually drawn into contact with the core h of the-magnet h. The armature c is fast to the spring strip c about midwa of its length;

while t-he contact c is attac ed to the Strip at a point approximately midway between the post d and the armature c2. Intermediate the contact c and 'armature c:2 I arrange a spring m, one end of which is connected to the strip by referably insulating material m; and the other end of the spring is connected to a slide m2 engaging a slot in a ost m3, and fastened in adjusted position y means of a set-screw m. At the opposite sides of the strip is 'a s ring n having one end attached to the strlp by a sleeve n and its other end attached to a slide n2 passing through slotted post n3 and fastened by a screw n. The springs m-n act in opposition; the spring n is slightly stronger than spring m and helps the magnet h draw the armature c2 toward the core h. This action is resisted bythe spring m which tends to keep thecontact c against screw b until the magnet h is energized 75 with the result that at each break there is a osmose away from b. The springs m and n will produce a snap break by their tension being regulated soas to make one stronger than keep in' synchronism without them. The

. 3 preferable.

tension of the spring strip opposes the ac tion of the spring n and armature h; and

on the initial energization of the magnet the j strip will have a tendency to buckle instead of bowing uniformly between the post-s d, d; the strip will be drawn upwardly at fn" and 02 and,y will be drawn downwardly atthe point m. Consequently c* will not separate from b on the initial movement of the armature c2 under the attraction of the magnet It.A But ultimately, as thepulsation reaches the maximum, c will be snapped away from b and the current interrupted. As soon as the wave of current kreaches zero spring m snaps contact c against contact b and the circuit is again closed. The springs m-n steady the vibratory movements of the stri and cause the armaA ture c2 to move positively to and from the magnet, and neutralize lany tendency to eX- cessive vibration of the armature. The armature 02 must lie very close to the magnet core but should not be permitted-to contact therewith at any time, so that there will be no residual magnetic attraction to be overcome upon the breaking of the current. These springsm--nrmust be properly `adjusted so that they act, as I believe, in the manner above stated, and lby their use I am lable to obtain absolute synchronism between the interruptions of the currentY and its alternations.l As these alternations occur with extreme rapidity the current must be broken many hundreds of times per second and this could not be accomplishedby the ordinary form of interrupter, or bythe use of a simple spring contact. In order to prevent sparking fromthe reaction of the magnet h when the current is broken therethrough, a condenser C of usual construction, may be connected with the post d' and b, as indicated in the drawings. ,n

In Fig. 4 I have shown, in place of the spring m Fig. 3, a rubber cushion M contacting withl the upper side of the strip c and attached to the end of a screw M tapped through a post M2; and in place of spring n Ihave shown a rubber cushion N att-ached to the screw N tapped through a post N2y and bearing against the under side of the strip. These devices act upon the strip in substantially the same way as the springs' mhh, above described, and I have used such; but I consider the construction shown in Fig.

When lusing a direct current the double opened. 'It then-passes through contactsy b, c to post dt; thence through wire a2 to point e; and thence through the double pole switch member to the point f; the wire h3 to the coil L, back through wire h2 to the point f; and thence through the double pole switch memberback to point ef;

and thence through wire e7, connecting the` points e', e2, through wire e8 to wire at, and out to the receptive devices as before; and ,back through the wire a7. Obviously as the entire current flows through the interrupter the direct current is broken or intermitted -each time the magnet h is energized. If the switch S be closed part of the direct current will pass through the wireV al", to the point f2 as before; and thence from f2 through the switch to point 62,' and thence through wires e7 and e8 to conductor a3 where it passes \on to the receptive devices as before. I Thus by use of this device the direct current may be wholly interrupted or a por tion of it 'may be sent interruptedly to the receptive devices. Another modification of the interrupter is indicated in Fig. 5. The pull spring m being substituted by apresser spring m6 and the pull spring n being substitutedA by a push4 spring ns; the springs m and n having substantially the same effect on strip c as springs m and n. These modifications are shown merely to illustratel the possibility of varying the construction ofv the interrupter and not to limit the invention.

The purpose for which the apparatus is intended is -that of a synchronizing interrupter for the alternating current, or an interrupter' for the direct current, for my therapeutic magnetic wave generators. It is also useful for varying electric or magnetic waves for use in wireless telephony or telegrapliy.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric current changing apparatus, the combination ofan electric circuit, a double throw switch having one series of contacts for alternating currents and anthence through I other series of contacts for direct currents, Y

an interrupterin the main circuit, and c011- ne'ctions .whereby vthe interrupter may be placed in series withthe main circuit when direct current is employed, and mayv be placed in shunt with the main circuit when alternating current is employed.

:2. A11 interrupter for electric current, comprising astrip, a contact point beside ture to said strip', an electromagnet beside the strip adapted when energized to cause the strip circuit.

3. An interrupter for electric current comprising a tensioned strip, a contact on said st-rip adapted to be connected.l in the circuit, a contact point beside said strip also adapted to be connected in the ciicuit, an electromagnet beside the strip adapted when energized to attract the strip and open the circuit, yieldable means engaging said strip and tending to keep the circuit closed and opposed yieldable means engaging said strip and tending to open the circuit.

4. An interrupter for electric currents, comprising a tensioned strip, a contact point beside said strip an electromagnet beside the strip adapted when energized to cause the strip to open the circuit, yieldable means engaging said strip and tending to keep theI circuit closed, and opposed yieldable means engaging said strip and tending to open the circuit; with a main circuit including the strip and contact, and a shunt circuit for energizing the electromagnet'.

5. An interrupter for electric currents comprising a tensioned strip adapted to be connected in the circuit, a contact point beside said strip also adapted to be connected inethe circuit, an electromagnet beside the strip adapted when energized to attract the strip and open the circuit, yieldable means engaging said strip and tending to keep the circuit closed and opposed yieldable means engaging said strip and tending to open the circuit; with a main circuit including the strip 'and contact, and a shunt circuit for energizing the electromagnet.

6. An' 'nterrupter for electric currents comprising a tension strip, a contact, `an

armature on said strip, an electromagnet adapted to attract the armature, a device engagin said strip at one side of the armaee'p the circuit closed, and an opposed device tending to openl the circuit engaging said strip at theV opposite side of the armature, substantially as described.

7. In an interrupter the combination of a strip, means for utting the strip under tension, a contact eside the strip, an electromagnet beside the strip, a device interposed between the magnet and the contact or normally keeping the circuit closed, and a device at the opposite side of the magnet adapted to draw the strip toward the magnet. 1

8. `An interrupter for electric currents comprising a pair of contacts, a tension strip carrying one of said contacts, an armature on said strip, an electromagnet adapted to attract the armature, a resilient means engaging said stripv at one side of the armature, and an opposed resilient means engaging fsaid strip at the opposite side of the armature, substantially as described'.

' 9. In an interrupter the combination of a strip, means for puttin the strip under tension, acontact carrie by said strip, a

relatively fixed contact normally impinging the strip contact, an armature on said strip, an electromagnet opposite thearmatiire, a spring interposed between the armature and the contact for normally keeping the circuit closed, and a spring at the opposite side of the .armature adapted tol draw the strip toward the magnet.

10. In combination, a contact device, a tension strip beside such contact, an armature on said strip, an electromagnet adapted to attract the armature, yielding means engaging said strip' for holding the circuit closed, and an opposed yielding means engaging saidvstrip and tending to open the circuit; with electric circuit connect-ions with the said contact and strip, and means for conducting current to the magnet.

11` In combination, a pair of contacts, a tension strip carrying one of said contacts, an armature, an electromagnet adapted to attract the armature, a spring engaging said strip for holding the contacts together, 'and an opposed spring engaging said strip to open the circuit; with electric circuit connections with said contacts for passing the main current therethrough, and a shunt circuit for energizing the magnet.

l2. In combination, a strip, a contact can .ried by Said strip, a relatively fixed contact termediate the magnet and contact, and an opposed adjustable spring connected with said strip at the opposite vside of the magnet;

-with main circuit wires connected .with said contacts, and a shunt circuit for energizing y the magnet.

1,4.. In combination, a strip, means for putting the strip under tension, a contact carried by said strip, a relatively fixed contact normally impinging the strip contact,

an armature on said strip, an electromagnet opposite the armature, a s ring between the armature and the contact or normally holding the circuit closed, and a spring at the opposite side of the armature tending to draw the armature toward the magnet; with main circuit wires connected with said contacts, and a shunt circuitl for energizing the magnet.

l5. In combination opposite posts, a strip strung between said posts, a contact on said strip, an adjustable contact adjacent the strip contact, an armature on said strip, an electromagnet adjacent said armature, an adjustable spring connected with said strip intermediate the armature and contact, and an opposed adjustable spring connected with said strip at the opposite sideof the armature; with main circuit wires connected with said contacts, and a shunt circuit for energizing the magnet. y

16. In combination an interrupter comprising a strip, means for putting the strip under tension, a contact carried by said strip, a relatively fixed cont-act normally impinging the strip contact, an armature on said strip, an electromagnet opposite the1 armature, a spring interposed between the armature and the Contact for normally holding the Contact impinged, and a spring at the opposite side of the armature adapted to draw the armature toward the magnet; with a main circuit including said contacts, a switch, a shunt circuit andy connections whereby when the switch is adjusted to one position the interrupter magnet is placed in series vwith the main circuit, and when the switch is adjusted to another position the interrupter magnetis thrown into the shunt circuit.

17. In an interrupter for electrical circuits, in combination, an actuating coil, a tension ribbon adapted to be vibrated by the action of said coil, contacts adapted to be opened and closed by the vibration of said ribbon, and a plurality of resilient members operative to regulate the pressure between said contacts and the rate and amount of vibration of said ribbon.

18. In an interrupter for electrical circuits, in combination, an actuating coil, a, tension ribbon adapted to be vibrated by the action of said coil, contacts adapted to be\ opened and closed by the vibration of said ribbon, and a plurality of resilient members connected to said ribbon and operative to regulate the pressure between said contacts and the rate and amount of vibration of said ribbon.

19. In an interrupter for yelectrical circuits, in combination, an actuating coil, a tension ribbon adapted to be vibrated by the action of Asaid coil, contacts adapted to be opened and closed by the vibration of said ribbon, `and a pluralitynof springs operatively connected to said ribbon, one of which operates to regulate the pressure between said contactsand cooperates with another to govern the rate and amount of vibration of said. ribbon. y

20. In an interrupter for electrical circuits, in combination, an actuating coil, a tension ribbon adapted to be vibrated by the action" of said coil, contacts adapted to be opened and closed by the vibration of said ribbon, and a. plurality of adjustable springs operatively connected to said ribbon, one of which operates to regulate the pressure be tween said contacts andcop'erates with another to govern the rate and amount of vibratipn of said ribbon. j

2l. In an interrupter for electrical circuits, in combination, an actuating coil, a tension ribbon mounted between two supports, an armature centrally mounted on said ribbon by means of which the same is vibrated by the action of said coil, a pairof springs connected to Vsaidvribbon on either side of said armature, and contact members, one of which is positioned on said ribbon between one of said springs and the support at that end of said ribbon.

In testimony .that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMILE BACHELET.

Witnesses:

GEO. S. LIVINGSTON, ARTHUR E. DownLL. 

